Minimal, Indonesian Intellectual Thoughts in the International Community

YOGYAKARTA - Chairman of International Scientists Association of Indonesia (I4), Dr. Nasir Tamara, D.E.A, D.E.S.S, said that contribution of ideas of Indonesian scientists and intellectuals in the international community is still very minimal. He also hoped the government would encourage the intellectuals and scientists from universities to contribute more in providing the ideas through various writings in various international scientific meetings.

Nevertheless, these thoughts should be based on the experience of the nation itself, rather than adopting the concepts of theories from foreign countries. "The thought is derived from ourselves. We do know ourselves, not foreign concepts and experiences which cannot always be applied here," Nasir Tamara said in a public lecture in front of 3079 new students of Graduate Program at Grha Sabha Pramana, Thursday (15/9).

According to Nasir, actually there are many sources of brilliant ideas from Indonesia. But the idea is still minimal in influencing policies in countries throughout the world. Many similar policies that are applied throughout the world have actually come from universities. He exemplified the ideas of Jeffrey Sachs of Harvard University, the United States, who wrote about the policy of removing extreme poverty stated in the MDG by 2025. "The thought started from the campus and was finally adopted by the UN," he said. In addition, Nasir Tamara also took the example of economic ideas from economists Amartya Sen of India and Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh.

No less important is that, Nasir Tamara said, intellectuals and scientists have to take sides with the poor and disadvantaged people. Because there are still many people who live in conditions of poverty and ignorance. "Our task is to think how they become prosperous," he said. Nasir hopes the students always spread their knowledge to the public. "Intellectuals and scientists have a major role in this process," he said.

According to Nasir, the importance for scientists and intellectuals to go to the community on the site is because the national condition with the government having not done much, lack of clear vision, weak leadership and lack of use of the scientists. The condition is exacerbated by letting the demise of the domestic industry, preferring to export raw goods while mining products have not been processed. "What worries us more is if this nation will be unable to cope with various environmental problems," he concluded.